Scrimmage To Help Pine/Strawberry Food Bank

A band of Payson High School seniors found themselves in hot water last spring when they unwisely pulled off some pranks that resulted in them facing criminal damage charges.

While the incident was regrettable, and forgivable, there are many good things going on at the high school that the public should know about.

Just last week the football players, cheerleaders and Friends And Neighbors (FAN) members decided they'd like to do something to help out the struggling Pine-Strawberry Food Bank.

They'd heard the bank stores were low and there wasn't sufficient food to meet the needs of all who depend on it.

So, at a FAN club meeting it was decided that the admission for tonight's (Aug. 22) scrimmage against Camp Verde would be a can of food.

Actually, the students are hoping those who attend will donate more than one can per person.

All food that is collected will then be given to the Pine-Strawberry Food Bank.

The players, cheerleaders, coaches and FAN club members are to be commended for the generous and thoughtful gesture of helping out our local food bank.

It's the actions of teenagers like those on the football team and cheerleading squad that make us proud we live in the Rim Country.

Pine Strawberry Arts and Crafts Festival next weekend

The PS Arts and Crafts Guild will have its final festival of the summer season during Labor Day weekend, Aug. 30 and 31. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

More than 80 vendors will be on hand to tempt you with creative crafts, beautiful artwork and mouthwatering food and drink.

Also, stop by the boutique in the senior center arts and crafts room and check out the great crafts on display and for sale. This is an opportune time to start your Christmas shopping.

Proceeds from the event are used to help nonprofit organizations in Pine and Strawberry.

Pine Library Friends' Annual Labor Day Book Sale

The Library Friends' Labor Day Book Sale is a chance to pick up some reading material in anticipation of cozy fall and winter afternoons by the fire. Also, there is always someone on your holiday shopping list who will appreciate a good book.

The book sale will be held in the library activity room behind the Community Center in Pine. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 29, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 30 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 31.

Box Tops for Education

Pine Strawberry Elementary School is eligible to receive a much-needed financial boost if we participate in the Box Tops for Education Program.

There are three ways to help.

The first is the Original Box Tops for Education fund.

To participate, clip box tops on hundreds of your favorite products with the Box Tops for Education logo on them, each is worth 10 cents to our school.

There is also a list of acceptable box tops available at PS Elementary and the Pine post office.

Then, send them to the school or drop them off in the collection envelope at the post office.

Twice each year, the school will receive a check worth 10 cents for each box top redeemed, up to $20,000.

The second way to help is at the Box Tops for Education Marketplace Web site at Boxtops4Education.com.

I would also like to encourage people to use that marketplace site as many of the merchants are ones we are already order from, and if you order through this site, they offer 1 to 5 percent to the school. Many offer free shipping.

Participating merchants include J.C. Penney, Lands' End and others.

The third option is to participate in the Box Tops for Education Book Club. Simply, select books from award-winning authors each month during the school year.

Then, turn in student order forms and checks to the school's Box Top for Education coordinator.

Every dollar spent on books earns one box top for our school, up to $20,000.

Remember, participation in the program is free and you'll be helping our children and our school.